RAINIER, John Spratt (?1777-1822).

Rainier, whose father had been mayor of Sandwich, served in the East Indies under his uncle Peter Rainier, who was returned for that borough in 1807.James. Naval Hist. i. 413-14; iii. 208. On his death the following year, John came forward in his place and secured ministerial support through Sir Arthur Wellesley, the Irish secretary, who had fought with his uncle in India.Wellington Supp. Despatches, v. 401. He survived a contest and a petition.

When his ship was ordered for service abroad in January 1809, Rainier applied to the Admiralty for a month’s leave, being ‘very desirous to remain on shore in attendance on the House of Commons’,Portland mss PwF8030. but it is not known whether his request was granted. He was listed among the majority who voted against the Perceval ministry on the question of Lord Chatham’s narrative concerning the Scheldt expedition, 5 Mar. 1810, but the Whigs placed him under ‘Government’ shortly afterwards and he voted with administration in the decisive division on the Scheldt, 30 Mar. He subsequently voted with them against sinecure reductions, 17 May; parliamentary reform, 21 May 1810; the abolition of the sinecure paymastership, 24 Feb. and the formation of a stronger administration, 21 May 1812. He voted against Canning’s motion to consider Catholic relief, 22 June 1812. Rainier is not known to have spoken in the House and he did not seek re-election in 1812. He died 13 Nov. 1822, ‘aged 45’.Calvert and Rainier, 51.